Story by Chan Lilian
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad & Chan Lilian
SIXTY-three students who achieved 4As or an overall average grade of 4.0 in their 2013 STPM were feted by the state government in a glittering award and dinner celebration recently.
They received a recognition certificate and RM600.
While some of the A-student schools grabbed the limelight with several A-students, several students from the rural part of Penang too made their schools proud.
One of them, Nur Fatehah Azmi, 21, from Sekolah Menengah Sungai Ara, achieved 4As.
“I am very happy that I am given this recognition. This will motivate me when I enter university. I have applied for a place in USM,” Nur Fatehah said.
Her father is a businessman while her mother is a housewife.
Asked to share the secrets of her achievement, Nur Fatehah said: “I have always loved to study. I love to read. My teachers have also been a great help.”
In the SPM, Nur Fatehah scored 8As and 1B.
Meanwhile, R. Suvindraj , 20, from St. Xavier’s Institution had two of the best supporters with him – both his parents who were proudly snapping every picture of their son when he went up to the stage to proudly receive the prizes for getting 3As and 1A- and for being among the stop three Indian students in the state.
Armed with trophy and certificate plus cash, this possible future nuclear physicist shared his hope of getting a place in a public university.
“I hope to enter a local university as I am interested in physics and hope to be a researcher in nano-technology,” Suvindraj said.
Born of mixed parentage, Suvindraj’s mother Low Kim Wan and father V. Rajamanickam were very excited and their pride shone through.
However, Rajamanickam voiced his concerns as well.
When asked how he feels about the Chief Minister’s call to the students to return to Penang, their homeland, to serve the state after their graduation, Rajamanickam said: “I am a graduate as well. Many of my friends have left the country and found greener pastures. My son is interested in nuclear physics so I hope there are opportunities for him in future. Every parent wants their children to be back home.”